Experience & Watch Metalworking Craftspersonship at Tsubame-Sanjo in Nigata Prefecture

The Tsubame-Sanjo area of Niigata Prefecture is known as the famous city for its craftspersonship. Many companies manufacture highly engineered work tools, knives, and metal tableware. Currently, Tsubame City has become more famous globally as one of the leading manufacturing cities in Japan, with cutlery used at the Nobel Prize dinner and selected as souvenirs for the leaders of APEC meetings. We are accordingly introducing three facilities in Tsubame-Sanjo, where you can experience the artisanal skills of the craftspeople.

“Tsubame Industrial Materials Museum” where visitors can observe metalworking by craftspeople closely

Tsubame Industrial Materials Museum introduces the history of Tsubame City industries from the Edo period in the 17th century to the present. This is the first industrial museum in Japan. Visitors can see the metalworking techniques, touch the products, and experience manufacturing. Thus, the museum is a great place to learn the fascination of its craftspersonship. At the Workshop Room, you can experience the art of metalworking activities.

• Experiencing making relief on a pure copper tumbler
• Making small sake cups out of tin
• Making a small tin plate
• Oxidation coloring of titanium spoons

In addition to the above, date-limited experience courses are also available on fixed days of the week. Please check the website before visiting.

Hours	9:00AM – 4:30PM (Entry for the experience courses ends at 4:00PM)
Address	4330-1 Omagari, Tsubame City, Niigata Prefecture
Access	A 6-minute drive from Tsubame-Sanjo Washington Hotel
URL	http://tsubame-shiryoukan.jp/taiken.html

“TOJIRO Open Factory,” a long-established kitchen knife manufacturer, can give you the powerful atmosphere of its production

TOJIRO Open Factory was established by TOJIRO Corporation, a 50-year-old kitchen knife manufacturer, to share the attraction of Japanese knife-making worldwide. This tour facility won a Good Design Award in 2018. Visitors can see how master craftspeople make their blades closely. Moreover, you can learn the roots of the Tojiro brand and its passion for high-quality products. Since the tour area and the workshop are not separated by glass walls, you can directly feel the atmosphere and the working sounds and smells. There is also a Knife Atelier and Shop with various displayed knives, including professional and home use. Some events are also held at the workshop space inside that Knife Atelier, for example, a paper-knife polishing experience, etc. Please check them out.

Hours	10:00AM-5:00PM (Only the knife gallery is open until 6:00PM) Closed on Sundays
Address	9-5 Yoshida Higashi Sakae-Cho, Tsubame City, Niigata Prefecture
Access	A 14-minute drive from Tsubame-Sanjo Washington Hotel
URL	https://tojiro.net/openfactory/

“Sanjo Kaji Dojo,” a facility you can learn the spirit of craftspersonship from active craftspeople

Sanjo Kaji Dojo (training facility) was established by blacksmiths who hoped to pass on traditional techniques and their spirit to the next generation and to develop their production area. Visitors can learn the histories of Sanjo’s blacksmithing, woodworking, and Buddhist altar-making. Moreover, you can also experience some manufacturing. The following hands-on classes are available.

• Paper knife-making experience
•  Knife sharpening experience
•  Making Japanese nails

You can enjoy the hands-on experience and those pieces of knowledge and skills, plus you can get advice from active craftspeople.

Hours	9:00AM – 5:00PM (Hands-on programs are available until 4:30PM) Closed on Mondays
Address	11-53 Motomachi, Sanjo City, Niigata Prefecture
Access	An 11-minute drive from Tsubame-Sanjo Washington Hotel
URL	https://kajidojo.com/